Persuasion The evil that men do lives after them, / the good is oft interred with their bones (Act 3, Scene 2, Line 76).
Simply put, after a mans death, only the evil that he did is remembered; the good is often forgotten. However, Antonys persuasive speech at Caesars funeral is one to be remembered. After Brutus oration, the plebeians thought Caesar was a tyrant and that Brutus did right to kill him. Antony convinces the plebeians that Caesars death was unmerited, and that the conspirators should be punished. In his speech, Antony used several persuading devices.
Antony used specific evidence to back up his opinions. He used verbal irony and rhetorics to invert what Brutus said. The speech was filled with loaded words- words with powerful connotations that affect the emotions. Antony used repetition to make the plebeians remember what he was saying. Antony also appealed to the peoples self-interest, because the people cared most about themselves. He used props to give the people a vision to go with what they were hearing. And last, Antony used suspense to keep his listeners curious.
Antonys speech was a model of success. Specific evidence supported Antonys opinions. Antony reminds the audience of when Caesar brought to Rome many captives, whose countrymen paid their ransoms; thus filling the public treasury. He adds that Caesar was sympathetic towards the poor. When that the poor have cried, Caesar hath wept (Act 3, Scene 2, Line 92).
The Essay on The Effects Of The Speeches Of Brutus And Antony
... who was actually just poet. Brutus made a big mistake by letting Antony speak at Caesar's funeral. Antony's dramatic speech won the crowd over and ... gave reasons that proved Brutus's points to be incorrect. Antony had the people surround Julius's body so that he could point out ...
Antony also recalled when Caesar thrice refused the crown.
This specific evidence shows the plebeians that Caesar was caring and generous towards them. Antony supported the fact that Caesars death was undeserved. Most effectively, verbal irony supported Antonys cause. The strength of Antonys speech was that it simultaneously undermined the conspirators but appeared deferential to them. Antony does not want to come out and say Brutus is an idiot, lets go kill him! because the crowd would not support him right away. Instead, Antony resorts to subtle, yet effective, sarcasm. Antony states that Brutus and the conspirators are honorable men, but he means the opposite.
When delivering these lines, Antony uses a sarcastic tone that inverts what Brutus said. Antony uses this same tone when referring to the conspirators as wise, truly meaning that they are ignorant. Antony rhetorically refers to Brutus as Caesars angel. He truly means that Brutus was evil. Antonys speech used verbal irony to destroy what Brutus previously said. Antonys speech was filled with powerful loaded words.
Antony uses words with a powerful negative connotation when referring to the conspirators. He used such words as against, mutiny, rage, and envious to develop a negative view of the conspirators. On the other hand, Antony used words with a strong positive connotation when speaking of Caesar. He uses words such as faithful, sacred, and loved to give the plebeians a positive mindset of Caesar. Antonys persuasive language supported his cause. Antony used repetition to drive his opinions into the minds of the audience.
Each time Antony cites Brutus claim that Caesar was ambitious, the claim loses credibility. Similarly, each time Antony states that Brutus is an honorable man, it acquires an even more sarcastic tone, until its meaning has been entirely reversed. Antony knew that people believe and remember what is often repeated. He made them believe that Brutus and the conspirators were evil and dishonorable. Also, by repeatedly questioning Caesars ambition, Antony convinced people that Caesar, in fact, was not. Repetition was successful in this speech. The speech draws much of its power by manipulating the publics emotions.
The Essay on Brutus And Antony's Speeches To The Crowd After Caesar's Death
“Julius Caesar” is a historical play by William Shakespeare. It is set in Italy, during the Roman era. The plot revolves around the murder of Julius Caesar and the power struggle between Caesar’s friends and enemies. In this essay I will compare and contrast Brutus and Antony’s speeches after Caesar’s death. Both Brutus and Antony’s speeches are used to try and ...
Antony appeals to the publics self-interest by informing them that in Caesars will they were all to receive seventy-five silver coins. They were also to be allowed to treat his walks, private arbors, and newly planted orchards as recreation areas. The citizens are struck by this act of generosity. Antony also uses Caesars mantle to invoke pity into the audience. He shows the plebeians where each conspirator stabbed through the mantle and delivered Caesars death. Antony explains that Brutus stab of ingratitude was the fatal blow. Antony stoked the audiences emotions to support his cause.
Importantly, Antony used suspense to keep the audience curious. My heart lies in the coffin there with Caesar/ and I must pause till it come back to me (Act 3, Scene 2, Line 107).
After delivering these emotional lines, Antony pauses to weep. The people are touched- they wonder if more ambitious people have stepped into this place. Antony also makes the people beg him to read Caesars will. He waits until the plebeians are ready to leave, and then draws them back to read it.
The citizens swear to avenge Caesars death; they charge off to wreak havoc throughout the city. Antonys speech was intriguing and interesting as well as persuasive. Antony is passionate and convincing to the mob. He is successful in swaying the audiences opinions of Caesars death and of the conspirators. Antony provides sufficient evidence to support his opinions. He uses verbal irony and repetition to undermine Brutus speech. Antonys loaded words influenced the peoples opinions of Caesar and the conspirators.
Antony put on a show-and-tell routine to appeal to the peoples emotions. Antonys speech did not bore the people- it kept them interested and involved. Antony proves he is a persuasive orator. Antonys funeral speech is a timeless classic..
